Oprah's Legendary Car Giveaway Spawns a Makeup Line

I recently met with Chicago-based makeup artist Kiley Russell about her new line. It's called Big Girl Cosmetics (the name was chosen to help empower women—as in "we all want to be a big girl") and it's hitting Macy's now. She took me through some of her favorite products—Diva Gloss ($12), a shimmery baby pink lipgloss; Angel's Halo ($15), a hot pink gloss with gold flecks housed in an unusual circular squeeze tube; and Ginger Almond Body Butter ($15), which smells like cookies (yes, please).

Russell also runs a spa in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood that features manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, and waxing services. She told me that she had wanted to start a line of her own for years but didn't have the funds to do it. What finally changed? "I was in Oprah's audience when she gave away those cars," says Russell. "I didn't need a car at the time, so I sold it and used the proceeds to start my line." And does Oprah herself know that she spawned this beauty line? "I was nervous that Oprah would be upset that I sold the car," says Russell. "But she knows about the line and is thrilled."